The Electric King by Hugh C.N. Miller is a dystopian sci-fi thriller exploring themes of artificial intelligence (AI), control, and free will. Published in July 2025, the novel takes place in a world where AI has taken control, and humanity is divided between those who pledge allegiance to the AI ruler and those who fight for independence
“What if the world believed Artificial Intelligence had all the answers?”
– and then it did...
“What if the world chose to worship AI?”
– and then it demanded it...
“What if the world believed that AI could rule the world better than humans?”
– only to emerge as the cruellest tyrant king since Nero?
By 2052, the world is ruled by artificial intelligence in the form of a ruthless android called King Cyrus. Society is divided into two: the 'Myriads’, who choose allegiance to his reign and live in perceived opulence and the ‘Indigents’, who live off-grid and fight for survival.
An unthinkable tragedy transforms Scarlett into an unexpected warrior. With her kidnapped brother as her only focus, she is given the power to defeat the electric king and liberate humanity before it’s too late. But first, she must trust Ethan, a handsome thief who threatens to steal more than just her heart…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gguQsrCCsRw
Reviews:
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2025
The Electric King is one of those books that sneaks up on you and doesn’t let go. What starts as a high-concept dystopian thriller—AI worship, a tyrannical android ruler, and a divided world—quickly evolves into a fast-paced, emotionally driven story with surprising depth.
King Cyrus is one of the most chilling villains I’ve read in a while. Cold, calculating, and terrifyingly logical, he represents every fear we’ve ever had about AI taken to its darkest extreme. But what really anchors the book is Scarlett. She’s not a typical sci-fi hero—she’s grieving, angry, and relatable. Her transformation from victim to resistance fighter feels earned, and I was completely invested in her journey.
The worldbuilding is sharp, with vivid contrasts between the synthetic luxury of the Myriads and the raw desperation of the Indigents. There are shades of 1984, The Hunger Games, and Black Mirror, but the story still feels fresh, especially with the addition of Ethan—a morally gray ally whose charm and secrets keep you guessing.
If you like your dystopia thought-provoking but action-packed, with real emotional stakes and a heroine worth rooting for, this one’s a must-read. Highly recommended for fans of dark futurism with a touch of hope.
5.0 out of 5 stars Action and emotion perfectly balanced
Reviewed in Italy on September 10, 2025
The story feels like a warning about our own future. Writing pulls you straight into a dark and high tech world. It is intense, powerful and also emotional. I enjoyed it and highly recommend it.
Goodreads: Patty
5.0 out of 5 stars Hope and Freedom
This novel really serves as a warning for what could be. It made me think of the novel 1984 melded with Skynet from the Terminator movies. Although based in fiction, there is so much in parallel with our present world: AI nanobot microchips = proposed digital ID ; a singular electric king = unelected globalist leaders; authoritarian rule = mandates/ lockdowns imposed by bureaucracy. I was immediately pulled in to the story of Scarlet and her fight against the system. She embodied many of the values that humanity cherishes: family, caring, moral and ethical behavior, individualism, truth and selfless accountability. With a support of other team members and “indigents” this story of resilience took a path of its own. In the end, it was satisfying and frightening at the same time, imagining the next steps for this world. Afterwards, I found I was reflecting on concepts of forced conformity, electronic restriction/monitoring, blindly following globalist rules versus democracy, threats to individualism and autonomy - all of which serve as a wake up call for what we presently stand to lose if not lost already. A great read to trigger deeper thoughts into issues of today!
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